LEW Techniques, a manufacturer of precision miniature package components for the mounting and interconnect of specialist semiconductor devices, in Taunton, UK, has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s highest accolade for business success.

The company, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade, which recognises growth and commercial success in international business.

LEW Technique’s overseas sales have grown by 60% over the last three years and the proportion of sales exported has increased to 66% of total sales with major export markets including China, Germany, Malaysia, USA and France.

Technical director Andrew Walker said: "Our products are used in telecommunications, commercial optronics, defence, automotive and space and during our last financial year we shipped over one million components across more than 200 different designs.

“As a build-to-print subcontract manufacturer our fortunes tend to lie with the fortunes of our customers and thus we strive to ensure we are very proactive in our support of them.

"Being flexible, reactive and supportive when there are problems are all traits that we are praised for in our customer feedback and keeps our customers coming back.”

LEW Techniques manufactures miniature, precision metal and ceramic micro-package components, for the mounting and interconnect of specialist semiconductor devices, focusing on leading-edge, telecommunications, commercial optronics, defence, automotive and space applications.

For example, the company worked in collaboration with a US–based visible laser manufacturer to design and supply diode laser carriers for the IMAX laser projection experience which IMAX claims is the “world’s most advanced cinema technology”.

LEW Techniques also works with universities and research institutes, one example being in Germany where the company has supplied components for the development of high-power laser diodes.

Some of this work has been taken over by spin-out companies which have moved into commercial production.

Further examples include the development and manufacture of oxygen sensor elements for aircraft air monitoring; laser diode carriers for high-power thermal processing in automotive manufacture; packaging for infrared sensors for thermal imaging for fire rescue services; circuits for RF modules for satellite uplink/downlink communications and for automotive and aerospace microwave radar sensors, and photodiode mounts for optical fibre telecommunications transmitters and receivers.

Mr Walker added: "It is now easier than ever for our potential customers to find manufacturers for their products and compare prices.

"Being cost competitive or a local supplier is not enough. We have needed to sharpen our enquiry response times, restrict our costs and ensure our quality remains world-leading.

“We have built strong relationships with our customers to the point where we are often sole suppliers of critical products.

"They trust in us and this is something we are extremely proud of.”

As well as a growth in international sales in the last three years, the company has seen its domestic sales increase and has increased its workforce from 42 employees to over 60.

Mr Walker said: “This award is recognition of a truly company-wide effort and is a reflection of our staff.

"The high technology industry sectors we operate within demand the highest quality, flexibility and responsiveness to new challenges and the staff’s continuous, outstanding commitment and dedication have been fundamental to the company’s continuing success."

The company now plans to consolidate and build on the results it has achieved over the last three years and continue to invest in seeking new opportunities that will secure its future and growth.

“Our aim had been to boost profitability after the general world-wide turn down and in this we have exceeded our expectations,” said Mr Walker.